Friday, July 8, 2005

Animal rescuers busy over Fourth holiday


By REBECCA MEANY
Express Staff Writer

The days before and after the Fourth of July are not a cause for celebration among animals.

The bang and boom of fireworks can cause dogs to become skittish and run away, creating stress on pets, owners and the animal shelters that take them in.

"We've had many phone calls regarding animals running off after fireworks," said Donna Simms, operations manager at Animal Shelter of Wood River Valley in Hailey.

Calls were coming in as late as July 6, she said, because of leftover fireworks being ignited.

"We probably had at least a dozen dogs during that window around the Fourth of July," Simms said. "We certainly see an increase."

The jump in impounds during the first week of July usually is short-lived, however, because owners realize their pets have run away and come to the shelter looking for them.

But even short stays create a strain on the pound due to the care required of the animals, Simms said.

Dogs weren't the only animals in the valley to have a rough week.

Employees at Storage Plus north of Hailey called on Kim Coonis, an animal rehabilitator, the morning of Friday, July 1.

"They said, 'You gotta get down here. There're guinea pigs all over the place,'" she said.

When Coonis arrived, she discovered that someone had tossed six babies and a mother guinea pig into a garbage can. Some had escaped and were scampering around.

"They're so vulnerable to any animal and all the elements," Coonis said.

She took them in and is trying to find homes for the furry creatures.

In the meantime, she encourages people to find other ways to deal with unwanted pets.

"Call the pound because the pound always has options," she said.

Hailey's animal shelter takes dogs and cats, as well as guinea pigs, hamsters and some birds.

"Once we had a sheep," Simms said. "You never know what will greet you when you come in."

If people have questions about stray animals or simply can't take care of a pet, Simms advises them to call the shelter.

A canine behaviorist is on staff and can help owners deal with erratic pet behavior.

"It's a resource available to the community in an effort to keep pets in their homes," Simms said.




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